Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 145803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
“Do you think he was there to shake the Bottaro family down?” Harlow ventured. “He needed money. He could have been desperate enough to decide to try blackmail.”
“He would have had to have been very drunk or very desperate,” Raine said. “He hung around that family. If he really did get Isabella pregnant, Angelo would have explained the harsh realities of life to him. He wouldn’t have spared him, in fact. Most likely, he would have had his men scare the crap out of him by beating him within an inch of his life. He’s lucky Angelo didn’t have him killed if he really did get Isabella pregnant, as I suspect he did.”
“Why wouldn’t Angelo have him killed?” Shabina asked.
“Most likely, Isabella pleaded with her father and negotiated a deal for his life and the life of her unborn child. If Angelo wanted the marriage enough to someone he had already promised her to, he would have listened,” Raine said.
Vienna found it interesting that Raine seemed to know quite a bit about life in that particular lane when Vienna knew almost nothing.
“All right, so we’re going with the idea that Daniel is Angelo Bottaro’s grandson,” Harlow said.
“Was. Angelo is dead. His oldest son, Fredrick, took over as head of the family quite a while back. His grandson is a big part of it now,” Raine said. “I think it’s safe to say we can presume it is the Bottaro family that owns twenty-five percent of the hotel with Daniel. I’m unraveling the corporation now. That is going to be a long process, but I’m fairly certain that’s who has backed him from the beginning.”
“Why wouldn’t the Feds have run them off?”
“There hasn’t been anything illegal found at Daniel’s hotel or casino,” Raine said. “No matter how many times the books are gone over, there is no evidence of wrongdoing.”
Vienna could see that. Daniel had no reason to launder money or use his casino for anything but making money. Angelo Bottaro had been very smart to give Daniel the lion’s share of the business. If he had seen the handwriting on the wall—that eventually there would be a crackdown by law enforcement—he would want to be part of a legitimate moneymaking venture. Daniel presented that opportunity. The fact that he wouldn’t expand might have been maddening, although had she been Angelo, she would have considered that Daniel might have a good reason for not choosing to do so when they were making so much money.
“Now, after all these years, they want a second casino again and Daniel is still saying no,” Shabina said. “I get that they might want to get rid of Daniel so they can manipulate Axel, but why try to kill Vienna? Why put all those bugs and cameras in her room? That makes no sense. And if you’re going to kill her, why stick a camera in there to record it?”
“That’s another excellent question,” Zahra said. “I’m getting hungry just thinking about it. Maybe we should stop at the coffee shop on the way and get scones and coffee before we climb.” There was a hopeful note in her voice.
“You’re always hungry ten minutes after we eat,” Stella pointed out.
“I have a fast metabolism,” Zahra said. “I feel no shame in the fact that I love food and can eat. We have time if we get out the door now.”
“There is a coffee shop on the way,” Raine said.
“Indulging Zahra’s craving for scones is a dangerous thing,” Stella warned. “But since I’m totally addicted to coffee, I say we stop.”
“The temperature is supposed to be cooler today,” Harlow supplied. “I’m for coffee. We did sort of get off topic,” she added as they gathered up their climbing gear.
“Someone believes I’m undercover along with Zale, trying to protect Daniel, I think,” Vienna said. “Whoever thinks that would be the one trying to kill me. I don’t know who installed the cameras and bugs or why they did it. The two coming into my room talked about the security camera, but I had the feeling they meant the one in the hall.”
“Hopefully, we dispelled the belief that you’re some sort of secret agent,” Harlow said. “Sheesh, can’t a woman have a booty call with a hot man without his enemies thinking she’s a spy?”
“Apparently not,” Vienna said. “And I look the part.” She tossed her braid over her shoulder.
“I’m not sure you’re James Bond worthy,” Raine objected. “You’ve got the face, legs and body, but you don’t show enough skin. Technically, your boobs should be hanging out.”
“Did that happen in the recent film?”
“I don’t know,” Raine admitted. “I didn’t see it. I kind of gave up after seeing Bond go from woman to woman the way he did. He wasn’t my ideal man.” She shrugged. “That should tell you about secret agents. They aren’t the best bet when it comes to relationships. You end up dead, or they’re over you when they’re on their next mission.”